Toy figure with removable accessory that doubles as a smart device stylus

ABSTRACT

Described is a toy figurine with a removable accessory that doubles as a smart device stylus. The invention includes a toy figurine having a holder adapted to hold a removable accessory stylus, while the removable accessory stylus formed as an accessory to the toy figurine. The removable accessory stylus includes a grip portion and stylus tip, with the stylus up being thrilled of a conductive material. Thus, upon removing the removable accessory stylus from the figurine, a user can use the stylus tip to operate a touch screen device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a smart device stylus and, more particularly, to a toy figure with a removable accessory that doubles as both an accessory to the toy figure and a smart device stylus.

(2) Description of Related Art

Smart device styluses are often used to control the action of a touch screen device, For example, a Blackberry™ or smart phone often includes a touch screen that can be operated via user touch. To more precisely touch and control the touch screen, users often employ a stylus device. A stylus is typically formed of an electro-conductive material to allow current to pass from the smart device and to the user, thereby enabling operation of the touch screen. In this method, the user operates the touch screen with a stylus, rather than using a finger, which avoids getting the natural oil from one's hands on the screen. It also improves the precision of the touch input, allowing use of smaller user interface elements.

In a separate art, toy figures or figurines have long been provided to allow children or others to “play” or roll play with the figurines. By way of example, G.I. Joe™ figurines have been created that simulate military or combat characters. As another common example, Star Wars™ figurines are commonly sold to children and others. In many cases, the figurines include accessories, such as swords, guns, etc., to enhance the realism and play pattern as provided by the figurine. While operable as toy accessories to enhance the play pattern of the figurine, the accessories do not operate as a smart device stylus because they are commonly made of plastic (a non-conductive material).

Thus, a continuing need exists for a combined toy accessory that also operates as a smart device stylus.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a toy figurine with a removable accessory that doubles as a smart device stylus. The invention includes a toy figurine having a holder adapted to hold a removable accessory stylus, while the removable accessory stylus formed as an accessory to the toy figurine. The removable accessory stylus includes a grip portion and a stylus tip, with the stylus tip being formed of a conductive material. Thus, upon removing the removable accessory stylus from the figurine, a user can use the stylus tip to operate a touch screen device.

In another aspect, the removable accessory stylus is formed as an accessory to the toy figurine such that the toy figurine is formed in a first theme, with the removable accessory stylus being formed as a coordinated accessory to the first theme.

Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of as toy figurine with a removable accessory stylus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is in illustration of the toy figurine and removable accessory stylus, depicting the removable accessory stylus as being used to operate a smart device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a smart device stylus and, more particularly, to a to figure with a removable accessory that doubles as both an accessory to the toy figure and a smart device stylus. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill, in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.

(1) Description

The present invention relates to a toy figurine with a removable accessory that doubles as a smart device stylus. As shown in FIG. 1, the toy figurine 100 includes a holder 102 that is formed in such a manner to hold the removable accessory stylus 104. The toy figurine 100 is any suitable figure or toy item, non-limiting examples of which include animals, dolls, vehicles, characters, etc. In the non-limiting example as depicted in FIG. 1, the toy figurine 100 is an alligator. It should be understood that the toy figurine 100 can be formed in any suitable manner, a non-limiting example of which includes being molded of plastic.

The holder 102 is any mechanism or device that is attached to or integrally formed with the toy figurine 100 to allow a user to selectively attach and detach the removable accessory stylus 104. As a non-limiting example, a magnet or clip can be attached with the toy figurine 100. As another non-limiting example and as depicted in FIG. 1, the holder 102 is a hand with a hole 106 formed in the palm of the hand to allow the removable accessory stylus 104 to be slid through the hole 106, thereby holding the removable accessory stylus 104 and providing a simulated appearance as if the figurine 100 is holding the removable accessory stylus 104.

The removable accessory stylus 104 is formed as an accessory to the toy figurine 100. For example, the toy figurine 100 is formed in a first theme, with the removable accessory stylus 104 being formed as a coordinated accessory to the first theme. In the non-limiting example as depicted in FIG. 1, the toy figurine 100 is an alligator as depicted in the “Where's My Water” game, with the removable accessory stylus 104 being formed as a scrub brush as used by the alligator in the “Where's My Water” game. Other non-limiting examples of which include a soldier with a gun, a ninja with a sword, and a plane with a missile.

To effectively operate as a stylus, the removable accessory stylus 104 has a grip portion 108 and a stylus tip 110. The grip portion 108 is simply a portion of the stylus 104 that allows for a user to grab and hold the stylus 104. The grip portion 108 is formed of any suitable material to allow for conductivity therethrough to the user. As a non-limiting example, the grip portion 108 is a conductive pen barrel formed of metal or is metal coated. As another non-limiting example, the grip portion 108 is coated with a conductive rubber.

Alternatively, the stylus tip 110 is formed of a conductive material, a non-limiting example of which includes a soft conductive rubber. As another non-limiting example, the stylus tip 110 can be formed of an anti-static conductive foam, as commonly used on styli. It should be noted that the stylus tip 110 can be separately formed and attached to the grip portion 108 using any suitable connection mechanism or technique (so long as the stylus tip 110 is directly connected with the grip portion 108). For example, the grip portion 108 can be a hollow barrel, with the stylus tip 110 attached thereto.

It should be noted that a standard stylus cannot be used for capacitive sensing unless it is tipped with some form of conductive material (as described above). Thus, with the stylus tip 110 being formed of a conductive material, the stylus 104 can effectively operate as a capacitive stylus that works on capacitive touch screens that are primarily designed for fingers, such as smart phones and tablets. Thus, through the conductive grip portion 108 and the conductive stylus tip 110, the stylus 104 is operable for transmitting the human touch (or the capacity value of human flesh) to the iPad/iPhone touch screen (or any other touch controlled device) that uses a capacity detection sensor to detect finger pointing.

For example and as shown in FIG. 2, the present invention allows a user to remove the removable accessory stylus 104 from the toy figurine 100 and position the tip 110 of the stylus 104 upon a touch screen device 200 to provide a touch command to the touch screen device 200 and operate the touch screen device 200.

In summary, the present invention provides a combined toy figurine 100 with a theme-coordinated removable accessory stylus 104 that allows a user to play with the figurine 100 and then remove the stylus 104 and operate a touch screen device. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy with a removable accessory stylus, comprising: a toy figurine, the toy figurine having a holder adapted hold a removable accessory stylus; and a removable accessory stylus formed as an accessory to the toy figurine, the removable accessory stylus having a grip portion and a stylus tip, the stylus tip being formed of a conductive material, whereby upon removing the removable accessory stylus from the figurine, a user can use the stylus tip to operate a touch screen device.
 2. The toy with removable accessory stylus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the grip portion is integrally formed with the stylus tip such that both of the grip portion and the stylus tip are formed of a conductive material.
 3. The toy with removable accessory stylus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the toy figurine is formed in a first theme, with the removable accessory stylus being formed as a coordinated accessory to the first theme.
 4. The toy with removable accessory stylus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the grip portion is a conductive pen barrel, with the stylus tip attached thereto.
 5. The toy with removable accessory stylus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the toy figurine is formed in a first theme, with the removable accessory stylus being formed as a coordinated accessory to the first theme.
 6. A method for operating a touch screen device, comprising acts of: removing an removable accessory stylus from a to figurine, the toy figurine having a holder adapted hold the removable accessory stylus, wherein the removable accessory stylus is formed as an accessory to the toy figurine, the removable accessory stylus having a grip portion and a stylus tip, the stylus tip being formed of a conductive material; and positioning the stylus tip of the removable accessory stylus upon a touch screen device to provide a touch command to the touch screen device, whereby upon removing the removable accessory stylus from the toy figurine positioning the stylus tip upon a touch screen device, a user can use the stylus tip to operate the touch screen device. 